August 27, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 13:22-30

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 9:1-9; 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

“Strive to enter through the narrow door… And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 13:24a, 29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

St. Monica encouraged her son, Augustine, toward the narrow door. She lived out her faith as an example. She prayed for her son and sought advice from her pastor and bishop, St. Ambrose. Yet it felt like nothing she did could move her son to faith.

Meanwhile, Augustine seemed to stray further from the narrow door of Christ and into the wide open perils of the day. His education introduced him to unbiblical and anti-Christ philosophies. In our times, we might say that he went off to school and partied, never checking out the campus ministry. He even fathered a baby outside of marriage.

There was nothing Monica could do to make Augustine go to the narrow door. For that matter, nothing that Augustine could do or say or think would get him to that door either. But that’s the point.

The Holy Spirit is the One who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies. God answered Monica’s countless prayers favorably and eventually brought Augustine to faith. He turned him around and crafted Augustine into one of the greatest pastors and teachers of the faith in the history of the Church. But all of that had nothing to do with Augustine’s or Monica’s choices. It was the work of God.

The Spirit led Augustine, as He has led you, to the saving Gospel of Christ. The broad and easy road of this world is tempting and looks fun, but it only leads to death and destruction. Looking for other paths and entrances only leads to “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is the narrow door of Christ alone that brings you salvation.  

Be comforted, dear friends in Christ! In this passage, Jesus tells you that you have already been called to faith. You don’t need to look any further. The Holy Spirit has gathered you and multitudes from east and west, from north and south, to recline at table in the kingdom of God. As you receive the Holy Eucharist at His Table, He gives you the forgiveness and strength to continue the way to and through the narrow door of Jesus to be resurrected and live with Him eternally. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, who is the Comforter of those that mourn, and the Salvation of those that hope in You, who graciously regarded the tearful pleading of saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine: grant, we implore You, that we may truly lament our sins and be made worthy to obtain Your gracious pardon; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

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